Klang aims to cut 20% river waste sent to landfills
MBDK Mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain cited positive results from the Waste Sorting Facility in Sungai Pinang, which has been operational since December, diverting four metric tonnes of recyclable plastic waste.
He said MBDK will intensify recycling education at the grassroots level, particularly in schools, and roll out programmes to promote proper household waste disposal, thereby reducing landfill-bound recyclables.
'These efforts will help lower MBDK's waste transport costs and free up funds for other community needs,' he added.
Abd Hamid also welcomed collaboration with the private and government sectors to boost recycling campaigns, plastic bag-free initiatives and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
LLSB managing director Syaiful Azmen Nordin earlier noted the waste sorting technology's promising impact in reducing plastic waste in landfills since its launch. - Bernama
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The Star
20 hours ago
- The Star
Preserving our nation's past, one piece at a time
WHAT if some of Malaysia's most significant historical treasures are not stored in a national vault, but lie forgotten in private homes or old photo albums? This is the primary motiva- tion behind the National Archives of Malaysia's (ANM) new Community Archives programme. The initiative encourages citizens and communities to actively participate in preserving the nation's history by contributing significant materials to the agency, which is responsible for managing Malaysia's heritage documents and records. The programme was launched in Klang in partnership with the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK), serving as a clarion call for the public to enrich the national archives with their unique historical collections. The ANM team was present to provide basic restoration services for cherished paper-based items such as certificates. They also demonstrated how proper care and digitisation can ensure the historical pieces endure for generations to come. Zaidil Akmal (standing) observes as an archive assistant scans documents as part of the digitisation process. 'This Community Archives programme will be expanded by ANM across the country to reach out to individuals, families, prominent figures, organisations and communities that possess historically valuable collections,' said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang in his speech during the launch. 'The public is encouraged to contribute their personal collections to ANM to help complete the existing archive and fill gaps in historical information.' Aaron also unveiled ANM's Community Archives Kit during the launch in May at Galeri Warisan at MBDK branch office in Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang. Empowering communities ANM Private Archives Acquisition Section archive officer Nor Nazuha Mazalam said the kit was available in hardcopy and softcopy to help people understand the organisation's archiving work. 'The work starts from the collection and acquisition of materials, then goes on to preservation, digitisation and documentation of local and national historical heritage,' she said. Nor Nazuha says ANM plans to expand the Community Archives programme nationwide next year. 'The kit can also be used by communities interested in conducting educational projects, studies and research for the reference of future generations.' Nor Nazuha emphasised the programme's significance in empowering communities to preserve the nation's heritage by educating the public and encouraging contributions of items deemed to be of national value. These items could include family tree charts, local organisation publications, handwritten recipe books, and records of cultural events. Contributions can be made as voluntary donations, testament orders upon the owner's death, digital copies, or temporary loans. Nor Nazuha added that ANM planned to expand the programme nationwide next year. Mohd Firdaus says his team's conservation works include fragile documents dating back to the 1600s. For enquiries, call 03-6209 0600 ext 1829/ 1830/ 1831/ 1832 or email spapr@ The Community Archives Kit can be downloaded via Safeguard for the future Known as the Public Records Office when it was first established on Dec 1, 1957, the national archies was renamed the National Archives of Malaysia in 1963. ANM acts as the nation's 'memory bank', collecting and safeguarding important historical materials so that future generations can access and learn from them. It currently holds some 4.2 million 'national treasures', including government records, private collections, photographs, films, maps, drawings, manuscripts, audiovisual materials and various other forms of documentation that tell the story of Malaysia's past. During the launch of the Community Archives programme, ANM staff showcased tools and services related to preservation, such as scanning documents and bookbinding. 'These services are sometimes requested by government agencies and prominent figures, but are not available to the public,' said Nor Nazuha. ANM Preservation and Reprography Section senior archive assistant Mohd Firdaus Mat Desa said birth certificates and books were the most common items brought in for basic conservation and binding services during the event in Klang. 'We believe people brought items that had sentimental or personal value, and wanted to have them repaired or restored,' he said of the service that was open to the first 100 visitors. The ANM staff took about 30 minutes to an hour to fix each item. The restored certificates were then kept in Mylar plastic to ensure the paper do not turn yellow, yet allowed it to be removed from the plastic sheet. Mohd Firdaus said his team's conservation works also encompassed fragile documents such as letters, plans and charts dating back to the 1600s, newspapers, photo albums, maps, royal archives and religious texts. These items could take between one day to six months to repair, depending on the condition and complexity of the documents. (See graphic) 'We also advise and assist government agencies in restoring documents that have been damaged due to water-related disasters, such as floods, pipe leaks or sewage,' he said. 'For example, we helped health clinic staff restore records damaged during the Shah Alam floods in late 2021.' ANM is also heavily invested in digitising materials received to ensure long-term storage, easier and quicker access, knowledge sharing and security to reduce risk of loss or damage. Its Digital Archives Section head Zaidil Akmal Zainuddin said a copy of the digitised items could be accessed via the National Archives' Online Finding Aid (OFA) portal at 'The public can preview a limited number of documents for free on the OFA system,' said Zaidil Akmal. Those interested in full access to the entire body of the archival materials, whether in soft or hardcopy format, can liaise with the Reference and Access Section by completing an order form and paying a fee. The charges range from 30sen for a page of A4 paper, RM30 for a copy of a photograph to RM75 to a copy of audio recording of more than 60 minutes. ANM's headquarters in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, Kuala Lumpur, also houses a library where researchers and the public can visit to do research or look for specific archived documents.
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Start safety early
With disasters striking schools more frequently, experts stress the need to embed emergency preparedness into education STAYING safe during disasters is a fundamental life skill – one that is crucial for survival. With Malaysia increasingly affected by climate change and experiencing more frequent floods in recent years (see infographic), experts are calling for improved emergency preparedness. They stress that such training must start in schools, many of which have also been directly hit by disasters, including floods and fires (see infographic). Citing statistics, Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said delayed response, panic and lack of knowledge are often key factors in accidents during disasters. 'Malaysia frequently faces disasters such as floods, storms, landslides and structural fires, especially in high-risk areas. Nor Hisham 'Instilling emergency preparedness education at the school level helps build a generation that is more alert, responsible, and equipped to face risks. 'This also supports the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030,' he told StarEdu. ALSO READ: Do more to protect us, say students Nor Hisham shared that several key emergency preparedness skills are often found lacking among students and teachers. 'Many lack sufficient understanding of standard operating procedures during emergencies, such as exit routes, assembly points, fire extinguisher use, and safe and orderly student evacuation protocols. CLICK TO ENLARGE 'In addition, effective communication skills are often neglected. This includes relaying accurate and timely information to the authorities, avoiding the spread of false information, and delivering clear instructions to students,' he said. Nor Hisham stressed the importance of frequent drills and simulations for both teachers and students. ALSO READ: Securing the vulnerable 'At the same time, emphasis should be placed on equipping them with basic first aid knowledge so they can act as first responders before the relevant agencies arrive,' he said. Weighing in, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Faculty of Medicine Assoc Prof Dr Rosnah Ismail, who is also a public health medicine specialist, said the frequency and scope of emergency drills should reflect each school's risk profile. Dr Rosnah 'For schools assessed as low-risk for fire or flood hazards, conducting a full-scale drill every two years is generally sufficient. These exercises should be treated with the same importance as major school events, such as Sports Day or award ceremonies. 'For high-risk schools, particularly those in flood-prone zones or with older infrastructure, annual drills are essential. 'These should involve multi-agency collaboration such as the JBPM and the Royal Malaysia Police,' she said. Dr Rosnah added that implementing such activities should not impose additional burdens on teachers. CLICK TO ENLARGE 'Parent-teacher associations (PTAs) can take the lead in planning and coordinating these efforts,' she said. She also emphasised the need to distinguish between flood and fire hazards, as this is key to designing more targeted preparedness strategies. Closing the gaps National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Fouzi Singon said many Malaysians, including students, often do not take disaster preparedness seriously. 'It's important to teach risk assessment and emergency response planning. 'Students and staff should know how to react calmly, who to contact during a crisis, and the protocols for various disasters. Building this awareness early helps reduce panic and enhances community resilience,' he said. He added that embedding such practices more effectively through the curriculum, co-curricular activities, or structured teacher training would help ensure greater compliance and awareness. Fouzi Fouzi pointed out that some schools still fall short of meeting safety key performance indicators, despite the Education Ministry's mandate for all schools to implement occupational safety and health (OSH) programmes. 'These include establishing designated assembly points and conducting fire drills – especially in boarding schools,' he said. He stressed the need for the ministry to appoint dedicated OSH personnel to oversee school safety and health matters effectively. 'Although the Occupational Safety and Health Act has been in force since 1994, there is still a lack of qualified OSH officers within the ministry to develop specialised training and modules,' he said. Joining the discourse, Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said many schools lack consistent practical training in critical areas such as real-time decision-making, basic first aid and rescue skills, situational adaptability, and the use of emergency communication tools. 'In emergencies, split-second decisions are vital. Many are untrained in assessing immediate threats, such as whether to evacuate or shelter in place, what to do if the primary route is blocked, and how to help a peer in distress. Noor Azimah 'Often, students and teachers also do not know how to access or use community alert systems, emergency apps, or basic two-way communication tools in crisis settings,' she said, adding that there is a gap in understanding localised risks, like how to respond differently to flash floods in urban areas versus riverine floods in rural areas. Noor Azimah suggested integrating emergency preparedness into subjects like Geography, Science and Civic Studies, linking it to climate and sustainability education. 'Regular drills involving local fire departments, civil defence, and non-governmental organisations ensure practical readiness, not just theoretical knowledge. 'Empowering students to lead safety initiatives through school clubs also fosters community ownership and peer education,' she said. She further called for mandatory pre-service and in-service training modules on disaster risk reduction in teacher training programmes, developed in partnership with national agencies like the National Disaster Management Agency. Ministry efforts In response to stakeholder calls, the Education Ministry said all principals and headmasters are reminded to take proactive measures to prevent fire incidents in schools. In a statement to StarEdu, it said the measures are outlined in Circular No. 7/2000: Fire Prevention in Schools, adding that safety inspections in schools are comprehensive and not solely focused on fire hazards. Pointing to the Safe School Programme introduced in 2002, the ministry said all schools are required to conduct self-assessment ratings on school safety. On flood mitigation efforts, the ministry said it had developed the Flood Management Guidelines for Schools to assist State Education Departments, District Education Offices and schools in taking precautionary measures should flooding occur in their respective areas. 'Beginning in 2023, the ministry implemented the MOE Preparedness Programme for the Northeast Monsoon to equip the education community for any disasters, including floods,' it added. The ministry also said provisions have been made to address disasters and emergencies such as fire-related hazards, as well as to improve dilapidated infrastructure. 'The government allocated RM1bil under Budget 2025 for the maintenance and repair of schools and educational institutions nationwide,' it said. In the news June 25 - Over 700 fire-hazard abatement (MBK) notices were issued to schools nationwide from 2024 to april this year for failing to meet fire safety standards, said JBPM. - Of the 853 schools inspected, 144 received a total of 767 notices. - Pahang topped the list with 201 notices, followed by Perak (82) and Kuala Lumpur (75). - MBKs are usually issued for issues such as faulty firefighting equipment, and absence of exit signs or emergency lighting. June 6 Malaysia is committed to strengthening school disaster resilience under the national disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030, said deputy Prime Minister datuk Seri dr ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the 'Safe Schools' Ministerial Roundtable at the global Platform for disaster Risk Reduction in geneva, Switzerland. Key efforts include: > A disaster Risk Reduction Education Module, developed by the Education Ministry, unICEF Malaysia and the national disaster Management agency, for nearly 7,800 primary schools. > RM135mil allocated to build Permanent Relief Centres in high-risk school areas. These will serve as disaster shelters and community learning hubs. > Plans for strategic partnerships with non-governmental organisations, private firms and government-linked companies. Source: Media reports Bomba in action INVOLVE the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) in hands-on training or demonstrations with uniformed groups such as Fire Cadets and Junior Firefighters Clubs. That is the call to schools from JBPM director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad. 'Organise regular workshops – including sessions on using fire extinguishers, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, basic rescue techniques, and evacuation procedures. 'Establish a School Emergency Response Team consisting of trained teachers, staff and students, and hold disaster awareness sessions with parents and local communities,' he added. According to Nor Hisham, JBPM has been actively involved in conducting emergency preparedness and disaster response programmes in schools across the country (see infographic). 'These are carried out in collaboration with the Education Ministry and other agencies to ensure that students and teachers are prepared to face emergency situations,' he shared. Bomba training initiatives for the young Fire Cadets or Junior Firefighters Clubs - Uniformed unit programme offered in primary and secondary schools by the Education Ministry in collaboration with JBPM - Students trained in basic fire safety, such as foot drills, hose handling and emergency procedures - Goal: Prepare students for fires and emergencies while instilling discipline Fire drill simulations - Simulate real emergency scenarios to test the preparedness of students and staff Building evacuation drills - Involve all school members in practising proper evacuation and early emergency response Source: JBPM director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad Fire statistics in Malaysian educational institutions Educational institutions classified into 10 categories: Preschools (government & private), primary schools (government & private), secondary schools (government & private), boarding schools, tahfiz schools. public institutes of higher learning (IPTA), and private institutes of higher learning (IPTS) Source: Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM)
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Building coastal resilience with nature-based solutions
THE marine and coastal areas of Malaysia, which are home to diverse ecosystems — from coral reefs to mangrove forests — are currently under threat due to climate change. Rising sea levels, changing temperatures and increased storm intensity reinforce the importance of building coastal resilience to ensure that coastal ecosystems, particularly mangrove wetlands and the communities they support continue to thrive. 'Coastal resilience is the ability of coastal systems, encompassing the environment, infrastructures and communities, to participate, absorb, recover from and adapt to adverse events such as coastal erosion, storm surges and sea level rises. 'It's not just about withstanding disasters, but also about bouncing back stronger,' says Dr Teh Hee Min, senior lecturer at the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP). 'From a community's perspective, coastal resilience is vital because it safeguards lives, homes and heritage. 'Many of these communities depend on coastal resources for their daily survival, cultural identity and economic resilience,' he says, adding that a robust coastline is also key to protecting critical infrastructures like ports, fisheries and tourism assets. He points out that floods and erosion on coastal areas especially can have a long-term ripple effect on local and even national economies. 'These ecosystems are natural buffers against extreme events and contribute to carbon sequestration and biodiversity. 'So, in essence, coastal resilience is about securing a future where human development and natural systems coexist and support one another,' he emphasises. At UTP, coastal resilience projects led by Teh focus on integrating innovative engineering technologies with ecological awareness and community empowerment. The Tanjung Kepah Mangrove Action Project in Perak, for example, exemplifies UTP's research and consultancy ethos of leveraging the university's cutting-edge research and multidisciplinary expertise to address pressing sustainability challenges. The project solutions directly support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15 (life on land), aiding in the country achieving its sustainability targets. The project, led by UTP and Wetlands International, is a collaboration with the Irrigation and Drainage Department, Manjung, National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (Nahrim), Parak Forestry Department, Solmax and Pertubuhan Sahabat Hutan Bakau Lekir. The project site at Tanjung Kepah, as its name suggests, was once a prolific mud clam (kepah) production site, but over the years, yields have dropped because of the loss of mangrove forests, which served as barriers against storm surges. Furthermore, replanting efforts over the years also failed because the tender saplings did not stand a chance against the strong sea waves. At its heart, the project is a coastal defence system composed of an offshore 25-metre bamboo wave screen, the first of its kind in Malaysia. Completed in November 2024, the screen has received thumbs-up from various stakeholders. Recently planted mangrove saplings – now sheltered from waves – are seeing a survivability rate of 70%, a remarkable feat as mangrove planting in the open sea garnering a 30% survivability rate is usually considered marvellous, says Teh. He points out that because this is a nature-based solution, the lifespan of the bamboo screen is about three years, by which time the mangrove forest should have grown enough to play its role as a natural defence against storms and strong waves. A 25-meter bamboo wave screen was constructed at Tanjung Kepah to protect newly planted mangrove saplings and reduce wave impact on the hinterland. What's more, the remains of the bamboo structure will also serve as nurseries or dwellings for marine life. Buoyed by the success of the first phase of this project, the plan is to construct another screen, this time further afield in the open sea. Installation of the 30-metre screen is expected to commence in August. Apart from the sites in Perak, UTP's project partner Wetlands International also plans to deploy this technology at a site in Sungai Haji Dorani in Selangor. 'This project at Tanjung Kepah is built around three key pillars, namely, nature-based coastal restoration, multi-stakeholder partnership and community engagement and empowerment,' says Teh, adding that the bamboo used is sourced via a collaboration with SEAD Build, a proponent of sustainable bamboo agroforestry in Malaysia. Apart from the project at Tanjung Kepah, UTP previously undertook another coastal resilience project at Teluk Nipah in Pulau Pangkor, which stemmed from a UTP study revealing that the sandy beach was eroding at a rate of up to three metres a year due to continuous degradation of the shoreline by waves. To gauge the awareness level of the coastal problems in Teluk Nipah among the local community, UTP organised two community engagement sessions in August 2019 and January 2022. The town hall sessions enabled communities in Teluk Nipah and Pulau Pangkor to share their concerns and pain points on coastal problems with local authorities and the need for erosion control measures. Teh, who led the project, explains that UTP designed a 50-metre rock revetment at the beach in Teluk Nipah, which was constructed at the end of 2020. The university also proposed to the authorities a soft approach to mitigate erosion and replenish the existing shoreline through beach nourishment. Final year UTP Civil Engineering students enrolled in the elective course Design of Coastal Structures conducting field measurements of alongshore sediment transport along the shoreline of Teluk Nipah. Nurturing innovation For Teh, being part of the UTP ecosystem has been instrumental in the success of the projects at Tanjung Kepah and Teluk Nipah. 'Here, interdisciplinary knowledge sharing, access to cutting-edge research facilities and institutional support come together to nurture innovation,' he says. He adds that the research also benefited greatly from being part of UTP's Water-Energy-Environment Nexus, which brings together experts in hydrology, botany, environmental engineering and social sciences. 'This allowed for more holistic project planning. UTP's strong emphasis on industry and community engagement also opened doors for funding and collaborations, which enabled us to involve the local communities in Tanjung Kepah and train them in the monitoring and maintenance of the bamboo wave screen.' Beyond research projects, these were real-world initiatives that empowered communities directly impacted by coastal erosion, he adds. 'Building coastal resilience isn't just an engineering challenge, it's a human one. The shoreline is where science meets society. 'The greatest success comes from when we design with the people and nature in mind. Interventions when rooted in local knowledge supported by research and powered by collaborations, can create meaningful, lasting impact. 'More than stopping erosion, it's about restoring dignity to coastal communities and preserving the ecosystem for future generations,' Teh concludes. For more information and enquiries on coastal resilience, email programmeoffice@
